Congratulations, Xadin Collins! You are the 1st JROTC cadet earning the Army SSG Ryan Christian Knauss $1,000 merit scholarship at Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines, North Carolina! You are also the 1st cadet in North Carolina to win this honor, too! So grateful for more quality cadets that Pinecrest has as an Airforce JROTC program.
Again, the quality of the JROTC program is directly connected to the veteran senior instructors that lead these cadets. Major (Ret.) Mark McClay and Master Sergeant (Ret.) Jefferson are excellent examples of veterans that keep serving after their own military service time.
Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Aleah Ginos is the lead connection to cause The Respect and Remember Foundation to be successful in our 1st NC school through her efforts with the Pinecrest Senior instructors. Well Done, Soldier. We need more veterans serving with us as we help support the young JROTC cadets who are enlisting into the military and transitioning from civilian life to their military life.
The sweetness about this first NC JROTC school is that Pinebluff was Ryan’s community near this Southern Pines JROTC school that Ryan lived while serving at Fort Bragg. Much Love, Ryan. You are not forgotten.